Displaying 1 - 20 of 53
The two last days have been employed in going to Painbeuf (about 30 miles hence) examining the Mercury, and returning to Nantes. ー I have the pleasure to inform you that what I have hither to seen is very satisfactory, the Mercury appears to be a very good Ship, 7 Years old, burden 330 Tons (Mr Peltrier [Peltier] thinks 350) 78 feet Keel, 26 feet Beam, 10 feet in the lower hold under the Beams,...
Date: 17 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am just informed that the amphitrite is at last gone, she sail'd yesterday morning at 7 oClock
Nothing is more difficult than to procure Charts of our Coast. I am however well supplied except from N York to Georgia, but here I want particular ones; the Captain will I hope arrive at Boston, if not he must do as well as he can with the general Charts (Mercators &c) . . .
Date: 25 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Upon examination of the Concord, her Inventory was found very deficient, ー those things which we thought would be a diminution of her price of at least 5000 Livres were not in her. It seems the owner has lately fitted out a large Ship for the Coast of Guinea and has taken from one to supply the other. This determined Mr Peltier to purchase the Count de Vergennes which is of the same size and age...
Date: 13 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I went to Painbeuf on Sunday and returned hither last Evening. Mr Peltier and myself went on board the Count de Vergennes and gave the necessary Directions. As I consider Dispatch of the utmost Consequence, I desired that as many Workmen as could be procured should be immediately employed, these are at present Scarce but as a little more expence is no object , in comparison to expedition, to...
Date: 19 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . It has been observed to mt;,that Prizes instead of being brought into french ports might be sold with secrecy & care, by landing the Goods on an Island near the mouth of the Loire, where french Vessels might come & take them; & perhaps in this way it might be contrived to dispose of the Ships without making a noise, but at least they could be there easily destroyed. ー I mention...
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . . It is reported here that several Sail of english Men of War are cruising between Bellisle & Brest. this Information I thought proper to send to Capt Weeks that he may keep a sharp look out. It is also said that a french Ship bound from the West Indies to St Malo has been searched by an English Frigatte, and it is thought that outward bound Ships will of course meet with the same Fate...
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . the principal intention of this is to inform you that Mr [Thomas] Morris has sold four of the prizes 2 (all except the packet Boat) Vessells Cargoes &c &c for about 90,000 Livres, all risque of reclaim & every difficulty to be the purchasers. Mr M tells me he has recvd the Bills for the amount & so finished the Business.
Date: 28 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am highly pleased to find that my Inclination to settle in France meets with your approbation, and I will do my best endeavours to preserve the good opinion you are pleased to .honour me with. This place seems to me the best calculated for carrying on the american Trade, especially in time of war. I understand that all vessells that come on this coast are obliged to make Belle isle, which being...
Date: 4 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We are informed here that a Canadian with a commission from the Congress has fitted out a privateer at Dunkirk, & after cruising some time in the Channel has taken a very large prize & carried her into Ostend;2 this News seems to occasion great eagerness in some people here to fitt out privateers in the same way, if proper commissions can be obtain'd, and the french Government will...
Date: 8 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . The Ship which I am now fitting out on the public accot will I hope ,be soon ready to sail, having been obliged to give her new Masts and to recaulk her entirely she is not so forward as I at first expected, but you may depend that no time shall be lost 2 Her Cargo will consist of Linnens Woolens Hosiery Cordage Anchors and sail Cloth, these latter Articles assorted for two...
Date: 11 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . . I am equally unfortunate in procuring Charts from Capt Weeks when the Courier returned he mentioned that he had sent them by him, but the man brought nothing. We have however found the Coast of New England but all to the southward we want. —
We have but one chance of getting the large Anchors, which is from a parcel that are expected from Spain every day. The weather has been intolerable...
Date: 22 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am still without any of your Favours which I confess gives me great uneasiness as I am apprehensive that my Letters have miscarried. The last I received from Mr Deane which was 23 days in coming encreases this Suspicion: if you have not recvd one by every post this must be the Case as I have written by every one.
I have the pleasure to inform you that the anchors are arrived from Spain and...
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I have not anything worth troubling the Deputies with by this post, the intention of this is only to inform you that Capt [Seth] Paddock has applied to me to know if he could get a passage in a french Ship to america & to be her pilot on the Coast. I have said nothing of the Count de Vergennes, but if the Deputies think proper it may be of Service to engage him as her pilot.
I hear today that...
Date: 29 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I shall observe your directions about the Cutter when she arrives2 ー I have not the honour of any thing from you by this post but Mr Peltier has recvd advice that the Destination of the Ship 3 is changed & that instead of going to Boston she is to go to St Domingo and there to be unloaded Mr Montieu likewise mentions that the 7 officers & 2 Servants are to have their...
Date: 1 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The foregoing is copy of my last P Capt Young who sailed from hence the latter end of last month. I have now the pleasure to send you the Tin Case I mentioned which has but just come to hand, with a packet of Newspapers. 2 I likewise send by Capt [Larkin] Hammond 13 Books which Doctr Franklin ordered to be transmitted one for each State —
Date: 8 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
When I wrote last the Cutter was arrived tho' I did not know it. 2 As soon as I recvd your orders I lodged the necessary ones at painbeuf for the Capt when he should arrive, he had then come up to town to find out to whom he was addressed & returning without Success he found his orders on board this little accident has been attended with no other disadvantage than the loss of two...
Date: 12 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I recvd your Favour by Mr Cunningham inclosing the Captains orders. — Mr Peltier & I are now agreed in every thing except one, which is relative to the disposal of the Ship after she arrives at St Domingo, you say that if the Capt can find Convoy he is to go directly thence to America Mr Montieu makes no such Condition on the Contrary gives absolute orders relative to loading the Ship back...
Date: 15 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Since writing by this days post I have recvd the inclosed plans & Memorandum from Messrs Jean henry Wilfelsheim & Compy who wish to be employed to build in some port in the Baltic Sea ships of war on accot of the Congress if they or you for them will give orders. They say that they can do this in a very advantageous manner that being the Country for Wood Iron Hemp & naval Stores. If...
Date: 18 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I have just recvd your favour of the 16 Inst. The Cutter will soon be in readiness Capt Nicholson keeps on board in order to hurry as much as possible, he desired me to present his Compts
I have got rid of all the French Crew with the loss of upwards of 50 Louis there was no avoiding this for the Admiralty would have compelled us. ー I have been obliged to employ the workmen this week in getting...
Date: 19 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Inclosed is Bill of Lading for thirty Cases of Arms as at foot shipped onboard the Lynch Capt [John] Adams. (No I a 21 contains five hundred & twenty five Fuzils & No 22 a 30 contains four hundred & fifty pair of pistols) on accot of the Hon. The Continental Congress who you will please to advise of their arrival
I would recommend them to be proved before put into the Hands of the...
Date: 29 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8